In 2025, Don published a book called The Unwanted Gift. He tells us about writing his book, sharing his journey and the difference this has made.
What’s your book about?
The book is about the journey of my life. When I was two, my parents died and I was put into care. The woman in the care home was very abusive towards me.
Later on in my life, I found out I had been living with mental health problems. This was because I had never dealt with that had happened to me as a child.
But I went on to become a breakdancing champion and a martial arts instructor. So, the book is really about how your past doesn’t have to destroy your future. Your past can be powerful and it can help create your future. That’s why I called the book The Unwanted Gift.
What made you decide to write the book?
It started when I turned 42. I had achieved amazing things, but my mental health was really bad at this point. I had anxiety, low self-esteem, and my behaviour was self-destructive. My sister told me about Future Pathways. From there, my Support Coordinator encouraged me to write. She gave me the guidance and the support to start that journey.
The Book Whisperers helped you with the book. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
My Support Coordinator put me in touch with the Book Whisperers. My first meeting was with Mary Turner Thomson. She was amazing.
Mary was so gentle with me and listened to my story. She supported me to write the book. I thought it was rubbish and no one would be interested. But Mary told me to keep on writing. The book ended up being a best seller.
What was it like for you to write your book?
Sometimes, I’d find it hard. But. I thought ‘You can confront and face things and heal. Or you can let it overwhelm you, fester and destroy you.’ I wasn’t going to let that happen. It was a chance to get all the thoughts out of my brain into a book and onto a shelf.
Who did you write the book for?
It wasn’t about the book; it was about being brave enough to talk about the things that broke me. I wanted to tell people it is OK to feel broken, to talk about mental health, to talk about the secrets that you were told to keep quiet. It is OK to shine a light on the dark places that you haven’t spoken about before.
What difference has the book made to you?
Now, I can look at my past and accept what happened to me. I have a much greater understanding of my life. I had a dark start, but I created a much brighter future.
And, it has made a difference to other people too. It has given people the courage to open up and speak about their own experiences. You can say words and they mean nothing to you, but they can be profound to someone else.
Find out more
The Unwanted Gift: journey from abused child to martial art master
Don’s book is available to buy online.
Don’s experience
You can read more about Don’s experience, where he talks more about support, recovery and healing.
